Asphalt Shingle Roofing in Aurora, IL

Architectural vs 3-Tab: Not Really a Debate

Three-tab is a single flat layer with cut-outs. Architectural, sometimes called dimensional or laminate, bonds two layers together, which gives it the shadow line, roughly twice the weight, a much better wind rating and around a decade more life.

The price difference on a whole roof is smaller than most people assume, usually a few hundred to a thousand dollars, because labour and tear-off dominate the bill and those are identical either way. On a 22-square Aurora roof you are choosing between something that lasts about eighteen years and something that lasts about twenty-five for maybe six percent more.

Three-tab still earns its place on a detached garage, a shed, or a rental you are turning over. On a house you intend to live in, architectural, every time. We do install 3-tab when somebody wants it and we will not lecture you about it twice.

Which Brand, Honestly

We run GAF Timberline HDZ as the default and keep pallets of Barkwood and Charcoal on the rack, because between those two colours you have covered about eighty percent of what this area asks for. HDZ's nailing zone is genuinely wider than the industry norm, which sounds like marketing until you have watched a crew work in wind, and the wind warranty reflects it.

Owens Corning Duration with the SureNail strip is the closest equivalent and we install plenty. CertainTeed Landmark is excellent and slightly heavier. IKO Dynasty, Atlas Pinnacle, Tamko and Malarkey Legacy are all perfectly good products and we will fit any of them on request.

The honest summary: at the architectural tier the differences between the major manufacturers are smaller than the differences between two installers of the same product. Nail placement, starter course, valley method, flashing and ventilation decide whether your roof reaches its warranty. The shingle brand mostly decides the colour chart.

Where colours are concerned, the dark ones sell. Onyx Black, Charcoal and Moire Black are what most Fox Valley subdivisions default to, with Barkwood, Weathered Wood and Driftwood next. Dark roofs run hotter, which matters more than people think in an attic that is not properly vented, and matters very little in one that is.

What Goes Under the Shingles Matters More Than the Shingles

This is where quotes diverge and where roofs actually fail.

Ice and water shield. Aurora requires it from the fascia to at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line, or 36 inches up the slope from the eave, whichever goes further. On a house with a deep overhang that means two courses, not one. We also run it in every valley and around every penetration.

Synthetic underlayment over the rest, not 15-pound felt. Felt tears when it gets wet, wrinkles when it dries and is a liability if weather arrives mid-job.

Starter course at eaves and rakes, the actual product rather than upside-down shingles, which is a shortcut that shows up as blow-offs at the edges in year six.

Drip edge and gutter apron at every edge.

Ventilation sized to the vent sheet filed with your permit, which is not optional in Aurora and is explained on the ventilation page.